Near Roanoke in Roanoke County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Roanoke

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, October 3, 2019

1. Roanoke Marker

Inscription. The city of Roanoke — the historic crossroads of western Virginia — lies in the distance. First established in 1825, it was called "Big Lick" after a nearby marsh where animals found abundant salt licks.

In the early 1880s, the little town became a railroad hub and the headquarters for the Norfolk & Western Railroad. Almost overnight the community's population soared to 25,000 and Big Lick was renamed Roanoke. Today, the city is the largest in western Virginia and boasts of a metropolitan population in excess of 225,000.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Blue Ridge Parkway series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.

Location. 37° 10.823′ N, 80° 4.289′ W. Marker is near Roanoke, Virginia, in Roanoke County. Marker can be reached from Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 129.6), on the right when traveling south. Marker is located at the west end of the walkway on the west side of the Blue Ridge Parkway's Roanoke Valley Overlook. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Roanoke VA 24018, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured

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as the crow flies. Floyd County / Roanoke County (approx. 5½ miles away); Roanoke County / Franklin County (approx. 6.2 miles away); The Coffee Pot (approx. 6.2 miles away); Old Lutheran Church (approx. 6.6 miles away); Lee Highway (approx. 6.7 miles away); Fishburne Park Flagpole (approx. 6.8 miles away); Virginia Western Community College Memorial (approx. 7.1 miles away); McNeil Drive (approx. 7.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roanoke.

Marker detail: Railroads spurred Roanoke’s rapid development in the 1880s image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Railroads spurred Roanoke’s rapid development in the 1880s

Marker detail: Roanoke market scene around 1912 image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Roanoke market scene around 1912

Roanoke Marker<br>(<i>wide view • marker on right • Roanoke Valley view on left</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, October 3, 2019

4. Roanoke Marker
(wide view • marker on right • Roanoke Valley view on left)

Roanoke Valley Overlook<br>(<i>short walk west from here to access marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, October 3, 2019

5. Roanoke Valley Overlook
(short walk west from here to access marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 211 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.